YMCA of Greater Des Moines Searches for New CEO

The YMCA of Greater Des Moines has named financial executive Jim Noyce as interim CEO while it continues to search for a new president and CEO.

Former YMCA of Greater Des Moines President and CEO Vernon Delpesce resigned in January. The YMCA of Greater Des Moines is working with the YMCA of the USA and consulting firm Hamilton Group in the search for a new president and CEO, according to a Des Moines Register report.

Noyce had been CEO of FBL Financial Group Inc, West Des Moines, Iowa, before retiring in 2009. He serves as an adviser to Drake University's athletic program.

The Y's downtown Wellmark branch moved into its new $30 million home in 2015. It includes a gym, indoor track, racquetball and handball courts, an indoor cycling studio and a wellness center. The facility also has plans for an Olympic-sized pool, which stands unfinished amid a reported $8 million fundraising shortfall.

Last month, YMCA executive board member David Stark told KCCI that new leadership was necessary to move forward with the rest of the facility. The YMCA was unable to secure federal and state credits to finish it, according to the Register. Former board chair Jim Cownie is now leading fundraising efforts.

"It is sad but true that the Y's advisors failed to secure the anticipated and essential tax credit financing for the Wellmark YMCA," Cownie said in a statement last month released to KCCI. "This has caused the embarrassing situation that we find ourselves in today. Vernon chose to resign to ensure that fresh leadership would have a chance to complete the project."

Cownie expects to finalize funding for the facility by February or March, according to a Register reportoutlining the Y's six-part fundraising plan.